October marked the highest number of migrant encounters for any October on record. These record numbers prove what Texans already know: The crisis at our border is unsustainable and pose a serious threat to our homeland. I will not be silent when it is clear the Biden administration's failed open-border policies — and Secretary Mayorkas' dereliction of duty — have created the worst border crisis I've ever seen.
Commissioner Christian sent a letter in early November encouraging the SBOE board to adopt curriculum that would include the benefits of Texas oil and natural gas production. The Texas State Board of Education voted on its Proclamation 2024 which determines the types of textbooks and materials students will use in the 2024-2025 school year. Following the SBOE’s actions, Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian applauded the outcome.
Ballots have been tallied from election day and voters have made it clear— state parks matter to the people of Texas. Proposition 14, which creates the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, passed with overwhelming support from Texas voters. The fund is made from a portion of state budget surplus and creates a dedicated funding stream for acquiring and developing state parks.
Proportionality in war is a synonym for lethal stalemate – if not defeat. When two sides go at it with roughly equal forces, weapons, and strategies, the result is often a horrific deadlock – like the four years of toxic trench warfare on the Western Front of World War I that resulted in 12 million fatalities. The purpose of war is to defeat the enemy as quickly as possible – with the least number of causalities, thereby achieving political ends.
“When I was a senator, it was hard building support to increase the Homestead Exemption. I had allies as a Senator, but not enough to move the needle. When I became Lt. Governor in 2015 – and Sen. Bettencourt took my spot – our army in the Texas Senate quickly grew. We've made good progress since then, but never before did we have the budget surplus funds we did this year," said Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. “What's next? I'm never getting off the bus for lower property taxes.”
"I have long said that educating our children is the most important thing we do," said Texas Land Commissioner & Texas Permanent School Fund (PSF) Corp. Board Member Dawn Buckingham earlier today, highlighting that with over $55 billion, the PSF is essential to supporting public education in the Lone Star State. It is the largest fund of its kind in the nation, and the corporation's board has just named Bob Borden as its new Chief Executive Officer.
The Lone Star State’s civilian labor force reached a new record high of 15,162,100 – after growing by 20,900 people over the month in October. This marked the 10th consecutive monthly increase, and included the addition of 21,100 Texans employed over the month. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%. “The Texas economy continues to grow, and there are nearly 480,000 job listings for individuals with the right skills,” said Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Bryan Daniel.
When the massive Univision Hispanic TV Network recently announced it would be doing an extensive interview with Donald Trump, the Biden Campaign moved to run political ads during the broadcast – but the network refused. One Democrat National Committee member revealed the palpable panic: “The new ownership is essentially co-opting and kidnapping the soul & mission of what Univision has been,” they said. That "Soul & Mission" was – apparently – full dedication to Democrats alone. The reality is shaking Democrats.
No issue threatens to break Joe Biden's already fragile coalition apart within the Democrat Party. The strife within Democrat National Party Headquarters saw nearly 20% of the DNC's 300-odd employees sign a letter demanding a "ceasefire." A junior State Dept. Foreign Officer sent a massive internal email to organize a "dissent cable" to Biden's Israel policy – and some are threatening to leave the party.
The Associated Press recently told its reporters not to call Hamas fighters “terrorists” – after they massacred civilians, raped women, and took a couple 100 hostages from Israel on Oct. 7th. Americans were, and still are among those hostages. According to the AP, these fighters are to be called “militants,” because “terrorist” has “become politicized.” But there's nothing “politicized” in recognizing that Hamas intentionally targeted civilians, and mowed down unarmed participants at a Peace Concert. They burned civilians alive in their homes.
"We implore you to reverse course and recommit to a strong campaign of diplomatic and economic pressure to hasten transition to a democratic government in Venezuela. Failure to do so only benefits the Maduro regime, and its strategic partners China, Russia, and Iran," said Sens. Ted Cruz & Jim Risch (R-ID,) who along with six other Senate Republicans called on President Biden to reverse his easing of economic pressures ahead of Venezuelan elections in 2024.
On the two-year anniversary of President Biden signing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Cong. Henry Cuellar announced over $1.2 billion in federal funding for South Texas. The landmark law is providing critical funding for South Texas' roads, broadband, water systems, airports, and legacy pollution cleanup. As the projects improve the area's quality of life and create good-paying jobs, "I'll continue to fight to improve our infrastructure,” said the Congressman.
On Thursday, Nov. 16th, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., the Texas General Land Office (GLO) will field public comments at a virtual public hearing for the State of Texas 2021 Winter Storms Action Plan for $43,632,000 in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds. The funds were allocated to Texas by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for disaster recovery for areas affected by the 2021 Winter Storms from Feb. 11-21, 2021.
"The United States – led by Texas – is the world’s number one producer of Oil & Natural Gas, and that standing directly contributes to stability in an increasingly volatile world where energy security is a necessity, not a luxury,” said Texas Oil & Gas Association President Todd Staples, opening TXOGA's "Lone Star Energy Forum" to help showcase Texas' global energy leadership. Determining how, and if our nation's energy industry can continue to deliver for America and its allies is a concern.
This weekend marked Armistice Day in Great Britain and Veterans Day in the U.S. Both are somber days typically marked by honor and respect for symbols of the country – and the men and women who sacrificed so much for them. Yet in both London & New York City, terrorist supporters marched en masse proclaiming "their" sovereignty. One pro-Hamas flyer recently distributed at the University of Chicago even read, "Ending White Privilege Starts With Ending Jewish Privilege."
It's been one month now since Hamas terrorists carried out brutal, horrific attacks on our ally Israel, killing more than 1,400 men, women, and even children. In addition, these terrorists have taken more than 240 people — including American citizens & children — hostage. As the son of a WWII B-17 bombardier, I'm eternally grateful for the sacrifice of so many brave men and women who — like my father — answered the call to serve. I won't rest until these innocent civilians are safely returned home.
On Monday evening, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) held a Town Hall call with Congressman Jim Jordan (OH-04) to update Texans on the situation at the U.S. Southern Border. Gonzales and Jordan called for the Senate to take up H.R. 2, which both Republicans say is the strongest Border Security Legislation in history. Describing the current border crisis as “the worst we’ve ever seen,” Jordan touted Cong. Gonzales’ efforts to get the legislation passed in the House of Representatives.
Mr. Nielson is a Professor of Law at Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School, specializing in administrative law, civil procedure, antitrust, and the federal courts. One of the nation’s foremost experts on the Administrative Procedure Act, he recently served as Chair of the Administration and Management Committee of the Administrative Conference of the United States
